SGX Nifty March 2026 futures declined by 167.00 points, indicating a gap down opening for the Nifty 50 today.
Institutional Flows:
On 02 March 2026, provisional data indicated that foreign portfolio investors (FPIs) divested shares amounting to Rs 3,295.64 crore, whereas domestic institutional investors (DIIs) recorded net purchases totaling Rs 8,593.87 crore in the Indian equity market.
The foreign institutional investors have divested shares amounting to Rs 6,640.78 crore in the cash market during February. This comes after their cash sales of Rs 41,435.22 crore in January 2026 and Rs 34,349.62 crore in December.
Global Markets:
The Asian market experienced a downturn on Wednesday, with South Korea at the forefront of the declines as the conflict in the Middle East persisted without resolution. South Korea’s Kospi dropped 8% on Wednesday, heading towards its most significant decline since August 2024, and continuing a sharp selloff from the prior session. On Wednesday, trading for the Kospi index was temporarily halted by the Korea Exchange. A circuit breaker was triggered on the Kosdaq, which experienced a decline of more than 8%. A senior commander from Iran’s Revolutionary Guard stated on Monday that the vital route had been closed and cautioned that any ship trying to navigate the waterway would be engaged, as reported by Iranian media.
On Tuesday afternoon, U.S. President Donald Trump indicated that the U.S. Navy would provide escort for tankers navigating the Strait of Hormuz, if deemed necessary. Market participants in the region will be closely monitoring an annual parliamentary meeting convened by China’s policymakers that begins later today. The upcoming assembly, referred to as the “Two Sessions,” includes a consultative congress set to commence later today, alongside a National People’s Congress scheduled to begin on Thursday. Chinese Premier Li Qiang is poised to reveal a range of economic objectives at the NPC, which were primarily established during a meeting in December. Meanwhile, China’s factory activity showed signs of weakness in February as manufacturers halted production and cargo shipments to observe an extended holiday, according to an official survey released on Wednesday.
The official manufacturing purchasing managers index decreased to 49 in February, as reported, falling short of the anticipated forecast of 49.1. Overnight in the U.S., stocks experienced another volatile session as worries about a prolonged U.S.-Iran conflict unsettled markets. The Dow Jones Industrial Average decreased by 403.51 points, representing a decline of 0.83%, closing at 48,501.27. The S&P 500 decreased by 0.94%, finishing at 6,816.63, whereas the Nasdaq Composite fell by 1.02%, closing at 22,516.69.
Domestic Market:
The primary equity indices ended significantly down on Monday as market participants took a prudent approach in light of unfavorable global signals. Market sentiment faced challenges as geopolitical tensions heightened after the US-Israel strikes on Iran, leading to a decrease in risk appetite. From a market viewpoint, the main issue continues to be the energy risk stemming from the significant increase in crude oil prices.
Market participants monitored fluctuations in metal prices for additional guidance. The Nifty fell beneath the 24,900 threshold, impacted by declines in the auto, consumer durable, and energy sectors. The S&P BSE Sensex declined by 1,048.34 points, representing a decrease of 1.29%, closing at 80,238.85. The Nifty 50 index fell by 312.95 points, representing a decline of 1.24%, closing at 24,865.70.